For Writer's Guild of America 2negotiators, a record 97.9 percent 3approval to 4authorize a strike is a major weapon at the 5negotiating table.
"The unfortunate nature of our business is that everything that the Writers Guild has achieved 6minimum compensation, 7pension and 8health benefits, 9residuals has all come from either a strike or the real threat of one."
The WGA says the rise of streaming and the shortening of traditional TV seasons are making it difficult for members to make a 10living wage.
"We're just looking to be 11fairly 12compensated for the value we create."
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers represents several major entertainment companies. They've released a statement reading in part quote, "Our goal is, and continues to be, to reach a 13fair and reasonable agreement." The last writers strike came in 2007 and lasted 100 days. But today's 14landscape looks very different.
"We were just catching up to production stoppages and 15COVID encumbrances."
The 16impact of a strike would 17reverberate from 18Hollywood backlots to America's living rooms.
"What you're looking at is sort of shows that you are anticipating a season coming up with in the next few months could be delayed as, as much as a year, if not more, depending on how the strike plays out."